Asheville Living Treasures Oral History Collection
OH-ALT

Matthew Bacoate Jr. 

Interview Date

June 22, 2010 ; April 29, 2012

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Matthew Bacoate Jr. was born on February 10, 1930 in Asheville, NC. His father was an entrepreneur and ran a quick service restaurant on Eagle street, a janitorial service, a cement block business and an ice cream shop on Blanton street. Matthew was drafted for the Korean War and returned to Asheville after discharge. There, Matthew worked at several different jobs before eventually receiving full-time work at the Chamber of Commerce. Matthew became a well respected community leader and business executive manager after he worked extensively to integrate the bowling alley where he worked as an Assistant Manager. He was also a founder, manager, and later business owner of M.B. Disposables (founded as AFRAM Inc., then ACE), which is one of the largest African-American owned businesses in Asheville. Matthew served on the Board of Directors for several local organizations, numerous committees and councils, and received many awards and recognitions for his work in Asheville.

John Bridges 

Interview Date

September 28, 2012

Format

CD; Text

Biography

John Bridges was born on May 27, 1927 in Asheville, NC. His mother directed children's plays and inspired in John a passion for the arts. John developed polio during WWII and was deferred from entering the service. He worked at the Pack Memorial Library for 29 years before retiring. He served as an educator and contributor at the NC Center for Creative Retirement (now the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at UNCA. In addition, he ran the "Tea and Symphony" program for the Asheville Symphony for 30 years, was the music reviewer for the Asheville Citizen Times from 1968-1996, and performed in more than 60 productions over 40 years with the Asheville Community Theatre. John was a supporter and member of local and national performing music organizations such as the Asheville Symphony, the Asheville Chamber Music Society, and the Asheville Community Concert Association.

Shirley Cohen 

Interview Date

September 15, 2013

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Shirley Cohen was born in Brooklyn, New York to Bella and Nicholas Saslavsky, Russian Jewish immigrants who came to America to escape the Russian pogroms. Shirley attended kindergarten through college in New York and worked as a hostess at New York's Stage Door Canteen where she met her future husband. They later moved to Atlanta, GA where she was a pioneer in Atlanta's Head Start Program. She continued to work with the Head Start Program in Asheville schools, became involved with Asheville Community Theatre, and founded The Autumn Players. She was involved with MARRS (Mountain Area Radio Reading Service) and volunteered time with her synagogue, Beth Ha-Tephila.

Jessie Nell Coleman 

Interview Date

May 1, 2011

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Jessie Nell Coleman was a founder of the West End/Clingman Avenue Neighborhood Association(WECAN). WECAN was involved in Adopt A Highway, engaged in the construction of the Clingman Streetscape Project, promoted public input for the I-26 connector project and the re-opening of the pedestrian bridge to Hillcrest, participated in the Aston Gateway Community Board and brought new playground equipment to Aston Park. Jessie helped the elderly, children, and the unemployed. She worked with the Head Start Program (Community Action Opportunities) and served as a board member for WECAN and Mountain Housing Opportunities.

Marie Colton 

Interview Date

October 2, 2011

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Marie Watters Colton was a political leader and public servant. She grew up all around North Carolina during the Depression, including Asheville where her grandparents lived. During WWII, Marie worked with the Army in Washington as a translator. She traveled around with her husband and children as he was involved in the war. Marie received a Music degree from Mars Hill College later in life, just before being elected into Congress.

Hyman Dave 

Interview Date

May 4, 2011

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Hyman Dave first came to Asheville in the summer of 1929, moving to the city in 1934 after graduating from North Carolina State College of the Greater University of North Carolina with a degree in civil engineering. Hyman started Dave Steel with his brother during the depression and worked for the company for 76 years. The business was a major contributor to the local war effort in WWII, growing to a nationwide business putting up buildings and prefabricating steel for many large industries. Hyman was involved in the community. Some of his philanthropic work includes Kiwanis Club member since 1939- President in 1953 and perfect attendance for 67 years; Preventorium for Children's Tuberculoses project during the 1930's and 1940's; WWII Scrap Metal Collections, 4H Club- "Calf Chain Project"- Chairperson; Fundraiser projects, such as Pancake Breakfasts and Miniature Trains; Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army; Asheville Downtown City Club- served as Chairman of the Board; and served on the Industrial Commission of the Chamber of Commerce. He has been a loyal member of Asheville's Beth Ha Tephila Temple where he served on the Board of Governors and the House Committee of his Temple and was twice president of his congregation. Hyman has three children, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Related Collections

Hyman Dave oral history in Jewish Business of WNC Collection

Joe Eblen 

Interview Date

September 25, 2012

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Joe Eblen was born on June 2, 1925 in rural Tennessee and spent his childhood working on the family's farm. Joe served in the Navy during WWII, but the war ended before he entered into active battle. He received a B.S., M.A., and taught and coached for around ten years before eventually managing and running Biltmore Oil and Eblen Short Stop Stores. Joe started Eblen Charities in 1991 to assist individuals and families living with illness or disability, regardless of income. Today, Eblen Charities continues to help thousands of families across western North Carolina. He served as a board member of the Asheville Community Theatre, the First Commercial Bank, and the UNCA Bulldog Club and supported the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, the Salvation Army, and the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Billy Gardenhight Sr. 

Interview Date

September 24, 2013

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Billy Gardenhight Sr. was born in Asheville on September 27, 1934. Billy grew up in post-WWII segregated Asheville 4 sisters and a single mother. His work as a caddy for local golf courses led him to a career as a professional golfer, placing high and receiving money for his success. He reverted to amateur status after finding a steady job, yet he claimed the title to two regular Championships, eighteen Senior Championships, and twenty-two Four-Ball Championships. Off the course, Billy worked for The Community Action Agency- The Opportunity Corporation of Asheville and Buncombe County for 22 years where he served as Youth Director, Transportation Director, and Director of The Weatherization Program. He then became the first African American to work as Pro Shop Manager for the Buncombe County golf course. Along with his wife Martha, the couple became state licensed foster parents. Billy has served on the Board of Directors for the North American Golf Association and the Blue Ridge Gold Association. He was inducted into the National Black Hall of Fame in 1994 and has been featured in various documentaries. He was also the recipient of an Outstanding Leader in Golf Award given by the African American Golfers Digest.

Sara Hill 

Interview Date

May 3, 2012

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Sara Hill was born on July 7, 1934 in Fayetteville, Nc. Sara received her masters in social work and worked at the Menniger Clinic in Topeka, KS for 30 years. Sara was an avid fan of quilting and traveled to find the best instruction before teaching quilting herself at Asheville/Buncombe Community College in 1996. She also taught at Marti's Quilt Shop where she set up groups that use donated fabric that she stored in her garage to make quilts for the community. Sara served as the Chair of the Asheville Quilt Guild's Community Quilts. She also donated her time and talents to other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Hospice/Care Partners, Hope-A women's cancer center, Meals on Wheels, and the Home of the Brave Project.

Adelaide Key 

Interview Date

October 6, 2010

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Adelaide Key was born on December 10, 1935 in Durham, NC. Adelaide was inspired by her newspaper mogul grandfather and served on the Board of Directors for the News and Observer and owned Mountaineer Publishing Company. After selling her News and Observer stock, Adelaide created Adelaide Worth Daniels Foundation which serves as the benefactor to causes and community projects that focus on health, education, and children. Adelaide also opened The Rathbun Center ,which provides free lodging ans supportive services for patients and their caregivers while visiting Asheville for treatment. IN 1998, the Adelaide Worth Daniels Key Center for Community Citizenship and Service Learning was established at UNCA and provided a center that coordinated volunteer activities of students and faculty with teaching and learning in the academic curriculum. Western Carolina's Adelaide Worth Daniels' Distinguished Professorship in Special Education was created to provide expert training and instruction to students majoring in education. Adelaide has served on as many as eighteen board of directors at once. She was the recipient of two honorary doctorate degrees and has also received several notable rewards for her service and philanthropy.

Mary T. Parker 

Interview Date

March 5, 2011

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Mary Parker was a full-time worker for Bon Marche Department store as a sales promotion director. Mary was a founding member of the Asheville chapter of the League of Women Voters. She served twice as the president of the Friends of the Library organization. Mary also served on the board of the YWCA, Memorial Mission Hospital Auxiliary, and Buncombe County Nursery School,as well as donating her time with the Red Cross, United Way, Colburn Mineral Museum, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Common Cause, Helpmate, Habitat for Humanity, and Pisgah Legal Services.

Thelma Porter 

Interview Date

April 4, 2013

Format

CD; Text; Photo

Biography

Thelma was born on August 8, 1931 in Sumter, South Carolina, although she was raised primarily in Asheville. She and her husband owned several businesses located around Asheville before they were demolished during urban renewal. Thelma became a local figure while working at the YMCA, where she stayed for twenty-five years. Thelma was involved with her church, her sorority, and became the first black Girl Scout Leader in the area.

Dr. Lewis Rathburn 

Interview Date

October 1, 2011

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Dr. Lewis Rathbun was born in Canandaigua, New York. He served on the Naval Medical Corps in World War II. Dr. Rathbun worked as a physician and humanitarian who devoted much of his practice to focusing on women's health issues, especially pertaining to cancer.

Julia Ray 

Interview Date

April 6, 2013

Format

CD; Text; Photo

Biography

Julia Ray was born on October 28, 1914 in Marion, NC. In 1938, Julia and her husband established the Jesse Ray Funeral Home, which later merged with Allen Funeral Home to become Ray and Allen Funeral Service. They also opened a supplementary business named Rays Dry Cleaners. Julia volunteered time at the USO, YMI, and the YWCA. She served on the Board of Trustees of Mission Hospital and was on the first Advisory Board for the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement. In 2003, the YMI Cultural Center rededicated the YMI auditorium, naming it the Ray Auditorium. Julia also received the annual Mission/MAHEC Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award and was honored as a Living Legend of Funeral Service by the National Funeral Directors Association.

Lucille Flack Ray 

Interview Date

May 11, 2011

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Lucille Flack Ray is an artist and a cancer survivor. She enjoyed singing and reading poetry from her own published book, Looking Back, and Moving Forward. She collaborated with various media outlets and organizations on topical historical preservation. She spoke publically about Asheville's black historical heritage and attending the African-American Stephens Lee High School.

Hazel and John Robinson 

Interview Date

April 9, 2013

Format

CD; Text; Photo

Biography

Hazel was born on May 4, 1926 in Bouge Chitto, Mississippi and John was born on November 15, 1923 in Stillwater, Minnesota. John served as a Merchant Marine in WWII while Hazel was busying raising children with her first husband. The couple eventually met in Phoenix and moved to Asheville after their marriage. There, Hazel put their dream for an outdoor theatre in Asheville into motion and Montford Park Players was born. Both John and Hazel have served as mentors and teachers to hundreds of children and adults. Today, Montford Park Players sees more than 10,000 annual visitors who spend an average of $171 per person per day in Asheville, which generates money, jobs, and business opportunities for the local economy.

Mitzi Tessier 

Interview Date

September 27, 2012

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Mitzi Tessier was born on April 7, 1924 in Supulpa, Oklahoma. After moving to Asheville, Mitzi became active in St. Paul's United Methodist Church, the YWCA, the PTA, and the Pisgah Girl Scout Council, all of which inspired her to become a Special Education teacher. In the 1970's, Mitizi and her husband opened a performance showcase called Mama T's, which offered mountain clogging and square dance to the community. During the 1980's Mitzi researched Asheville and wrote a book called Asheville: A Pictorial History. She later wrote a second book, this time in honor of the Bicentennial of Buncombe County. She also shared her knowledge of Asheville with multiple organizations as well as offering her time to mission trips and the Highland Farms Retirement Community.

Rosa Logan Walker 

Interview Date

September 14, 2011

Format

CD; Text

Biography

Rosa Logan Walker was born on January 18, 1923 in Rutherford County, NC. After rejection from UNCA based on her African-American race, Rosa attended Stewart Beauty School. Along with her husband, Rosa bought a house for $1800, which she renovated to add on an extra room that served as her own beauty salon. Rosa came to own four different salons and employed over 50 people. She served as an executive officer, first vice-president, and financial secretary for the North Carolina State Beauticians and Cosmetologists Association for African-American women and men. Rosa was an advocate for the rights of disabled individuals, managed the Martin Luther King concession stand for Asheville Parks and Recreation, served as vice-chairman of the Steward Board and Hospitality Committee Chairperson at St. James Church, and volunteered her time with Quality Forward, Asheville Community Relations Committee, and the YMI Cultural Center. Rosa was the recipient of "Woman of the Year" from both St. James and North Carolina State Beauticians and Cosmetologists Association.

Dr. John Wilson 

Interview Date

April 28, 2012

Format

CD; Text

Biography

John Wilson was born on May 29, 1916 in Kwangju, Korea. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Wilson entered the military as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and worked as medical staff. Dr. Wilson worked with Cambodian refugees in Thailand, aided in a Somalian refugee camp, worked at a Palestinian refugee in Beirut, served at the Friends Lugala in Kenya, and worked with Partners of America. Dr. Wilson cultivated an idea for a community garden, which was started in 2004 and named the Black Mountain Community Garden. The garden donates thousands of pounds of local produce to people in need.